CompuServe Thread

#Chromakeying .FLCs

7 messages in this thread
#124494From: Piyush PatelSep 19, 1994 9:02 AM
I wish to chromakey animation files in Asymetrix Toolbook v.3.0. Having spoken to their Technical Support line, this is not possible within the realms of Toolbook. Does anyone know of or have a Windows Autodesk Animator driver which can chromakey? I gather that this is how chromakeying is achieved with video for windows. All help urgently encouraged.
#124610From: Michael WendellSep 19, 1994 9:56 PM
You'll have to be more specific as to exactly what you're looking to do, do you want to chromakey over live video? What hardware are you using to do the key? Along another line, and I'm guessing here, but if you're looking to create animations that float over a pre-created form or image, (no box, just object over background) that -may- be possible by using a black (0,0,0) background for the animation. Toolbook should do that, if it doesn't, get a copy of Macromedia Director or Authorware. Any more info and I'll be glad to help… m.
#124638From: Piyush PatelSep 20, 1994 1:21 AM
Yes, I just want to play an animation over a background, but as I may want that background to change, I must be able to chromakey. Toolbook does chromakey bitmaps with any windows colour, but not animations, so I don't think a black background will work – I've tried it once and it didn't. Playing animations over video? That will be useful in the future, but for the moment it won't be needed. As for using Macromind director and the like, it's not a realistic alternative, as I only have 6 weeks to produce a complex interactive prototype, and I'm not sure that changing development environments would benefit me overall. Thanks for your help – as I say, I'm pretty desperate!
#124736From: Brian Rudolph [Adesk]Sep 20, 1994 4:16 PM
<<Toolbook does chromakey bitmaps with any windows colour, but not animations, so I don't think a black background will work – >> Correct. The FLI/FLC format does not support transparency. The only option I can think of is to turn your FLC into a sprite animation of some sort, and use that for your key. I don't know much about sprites, though. Perhaps someone else will pitch in. You might also want to ask about sprite animation in the GO GRAPHICS forums. -Brian
#124964From: Michael WendellSep 21, 1994 9:13 PM
Why don't you just create your animations over their appropriate bg's for now, GET THE CONTRACT, then buy Authorware <g> m. P.S. Brian – if your listening – although flics don't support transparency, Macromedia's authoring tools (and others?) allow 0,0,0 to be invisible, ie: chromakey.
#124985From: Piyush PatelSep 22, 1994 1:37 AM
Michael, We've thought of that, but were a bit worried in case someone decided at a late date that the background wasn't quite right….. Anyway, looks like the initial problem can't be solved without a Bitmap by Bitmap or VfW approach. Many Thanks.
#125090From: Brian Rudolph [Adesk]Sep 22, 1994 1:17 PM
<< P.S. Brian – if your listening – although flics don't support transparency, Macromedia's authoring tools (and others?) allow 0,0,0 to be invisible, ie: chromakey.>> That's good to know. So as long as your background is 0,0,0 and 0,0,0 is not used as black in your animation, you should be able to accomplish a key effect. Very nice. -Brian